Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 4 Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents with Different Levels of Physical Activity Engagement: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to assess whether the psychological impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on children and adolescents had decreased four years after the initial assessment. This
study aimed to determine if children with an active lifestyle and participation in sports activities
were protected against this traumatic stress. This study included a total of 284 Italian participants
assessed at two different time points: the first assessment was conducted in 2020 when the children
were aged 9–12 years, and a second assessment was carried out four years later when the participants
were aged 13–16. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale–Revised questionnaire (IES-R),
with the IES-8 and IES-15 versions used accordingly based on age group. In the 2020 assessment,
146 (51.4%) reported a score higher than the cut-off for significant traumatic stress, while in 2024,
only 49 participants (17.2%). The chi-square analysis indicated that this decrement was statistically
significant (p < 0.001). RM-ANOVA showed a significant reduction for both Intrusion Score and
Avoidance Score (p < 0.001). A statistical interaction between gender and time was observed. There
were weak correlations between the level of children’s sport practice, and no differences between
those who engage in individual or team sports. Despite this study showing that young people are
overcoming the pandemic crisis and its consequences, identifying potential modifiable risk factors
and empowering protective factors remains crucial, especially for those who continue to experience
psychological issues. The restrictions particularly impacted active children by disrupting their routine,
which may have compromised the universally recognized protective value of sports.